Staggering Turn out for GT Triumphs

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Goodwood Revival • Tired Tires • Austin Seven Van do not use this header per susan b kjh 4/23/09 Shop Online ... www.VictoriaBritish.com contents or Request Your FREE Catalog Today! Winter 2010 Fully Illustrated FREE Catalogs Member’s Pages From the Editor ...... 5 From the President ...... 7 16 Club Hub ...... 9-11 Owner’s Manual ...... 15

Activities 22 Events: Calendar ...... 12/13 Club Events: 29 British Car Day ...... 16-21 Features Triumph Travels: Goodwood Revival ...... 22-26 London to Brighton ...... 32/33 The Wedgetarian: John’s Farewell ...... 27 Quality Parts & Accessories Friends of Triumphs: Fully illustrated catalogs with the parts you need. Specify your 32 Austin Seven Van ...... 29-31 make and model to get a FREE catalog. Routine maintenance:

Fast Service, Simple Ordering and Convenient, Quick Delivery. T h e M a g a z i n e O f T h e T O r O n TO T r i u M p h C l u b W i n T e r 2 0 1 0 Wax On Wax Off ...... 34/37 Tired Tires ...... 36/37 Triumph Tunes: MGA TR2, TR3, TR4, TR4A MGB, MGC TR250, TR6 100-4, 100-6, 3000 On the Cover Carb Balancing ...... 39 Midget TR7, TR8 Sprite Rick & Jane Moss of GT6, Spitfire Toronto were part of the Bits & Pieces: ™ ‘STAGgering’ turn out of Bleeping Trafficator ...... 41 “Keep’em On The Road ” Alpine Tiger Stags at British Car Day British 2010, to celebrate 40 years Car Day Stag Chains ...... 46 since the first one was STAGgering turn out www.VictoriaBritish.com produced for GT Triumphs Restoration: Photo by Michael Cleland Goodwood Revival • Tired Tires • Austin Seven Van Six & Two Threes Part 7 . . . . .42-45 Shop Online ... Fast, Simple & Safe 1-800-255-0088 Orders - Catalog Request -Status Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 3

Toronto Triumph club.indd 1 1/27/10 3:18:16 PM INSURANCEINSURANCE

ANTIQUE, CLASSIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST TM TM ANTIQUE, CLASSIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST from the editor AUTOMOBILE INSURANCEAUTOMOBILE TM INSURANCE TM

SUBMISSIONS INSURANCE Format: MS Word files are preferred. Send via Now available across c a N ada email or on CD, 10Mb limit on email files. Send INSURANCE photos separately, do NOT embed in the text file. ANTIQUE, CLASSIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST TM Hard copy submissions are acceptable, but not AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE TM preferred. Graphics must be in major graphics for- INSURANCEANTIQUE, CLASSIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST TM mats, jpeg, tiff or Photoshop files. In Person: To the Crikey, it’s Christmas already! AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE TM editor at the monthly meetings. ANTIQUE, CLASSIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST TM Mail: 2421 Poplar Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario L5J 4H2 Like most males of our species, I haven’t even started my Christmas TM AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE E-mail: [email protected] shopping. Well, that’s what Christmas Eve is for. Right chaps? Quite apart from gifts for my family, I haven’t even had time to plan and order my ADVERTISING own pressies... the all-important parts for Rosie’s winter projects! Contact the Club’s advertising representative for Rosie has done me proud this (long) season, she deserves some details of dates and submissions. Submit ads as pampering through the cold, dark days ahead. She’s covered some- high resolution (min 300 ppi) PDF files, saved for print in CMYK format, fonts embedded, by E-mail where around 6,000 miles this year (I don’t know exactly, the speedo to [email protected] is still broken!), with only a leaking heater valve, which Fred at BAS re- The advertising year is from Jan.1 to Dec. 31. A placed under warranty, to slow her down. We went to, Around The Lake, copy of Ragtop is sent to all paid advertisers. Canadian Classic, Ottawa, Leaf Peeping Tour, Dayton, OH and back for the 6-PACK TRials, she’s really done well. 2011 ADVERTISING RATES Rear Cover ...... $500 per year So what’s on the fix list? Inside Front Cover ...... $475 Rebuild front suspension and steering, new springs and shocks all round, replace front Inside Back Cover ...... $450 TM rotors and rebuild calipers, renew flex brake pipes, replace front bumper, new windscreen MODIFIED,TM STREETMODIFIED, ROD AND STREET CUSTOM ROD AND CUSTOM Full Page Inside ...... $305 and trim, retune my wire wheels (so I can return Tush’s spare set of steel rims and tires!), re- TM TM Half Page ...... $185 AUTOMOBILE INSURANCEAUTOMOBILE INSURANCE Quarter Page ...... $115 hang exhaust system and paint (hangs too low), connect my fog/spot lamps, balance the TM MODIFIED, STREET ROD AND CUSTOM Business Cards ...... $70 carbs properly and... fix her speedo! TM Full colour ...... $115 extra TM AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE MODIFIED, STREET ROD AND CUSTOM Second colour ...... $75 extra There’s other small stuff too, so plenty to keep me busy during the off season. I’m sure AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE TM Flyer Inserts ...... $190/issue (max 4 pgs) many of you will be doing the same sort of work, so why not take a camera into your ‘man (All rates are for 4 issues, except flyers) TM MODIFIED, STREET ROD AND CUSTOM cave’ and make a photo record of it? It’s good to keep notes and photos of the work you do, TM [email protected] AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE it helps if you ever sell your pride and joy and for... well let me see... sending to your editor for Ragtop! There, I said it again. It wouldn’t be my editorial without a plea for material, now 2011 SCHEDULE Issue Deadline Mailed would it? Spring ...... April 1 . . . . .End of April Lot’s to read in this issue, a British Car Day round-up, stories from the UK, restoration and Summer ...... June 10 . . . . .End of July technical tips. So, make a hot toddy, pull a chair by the fire, curl up and enjoy... while the rest Fall/BCD Program . . .August 12 . Mid September Winter ...... Nov. 18 . . .Mid December of us are freezing in a cold garage! Have a Happy, Peaceful and TRiumphant Holiday Season! General Enquiries [email protected] — David Fidler Ragtop is published quarterly by the Toronto Tri- umph Club Inc. (“TTC”) and is distributed to its Sold exclusively by members as part of their annual dues. The TTC or the Editors cannot accept responsibility for the Sold exclusivelySold by exclusivelySold exclusively byby by Call or visit our website safe return of any submitted material. We will do our best, but accidents do occur.

SoldLANT exclusively by & CO. INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. We accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. 37 SANDIFORD DRIVE, SUITE 100 STOUFFVILLE, ONTARIO L4A 7X5 Opinions expressed are those of the authors and LANT & CO. INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. do not necessarily reflect those of the TTC Execu- LANT LANT& CO.Tel: 905-640-4111 &INSURANCE CO. www.lant-ins.caINSURANCEFax: BROKERS 905-640-4450 BROKERS LTD. LTD.tive or Membership. 37 SANDIFORD DRIVE, SUITE 100 STOUFFVILLE, ONTARIO L4A 7X5 LANT & CO.(a divisionINSURANCE of Wayfarer Insurance Brokers BROKERS Limited) LTD. Copyright © 2011 by the TTC. 37 SANDIFORD Tel:DRIVE,37 905-640-4111 SANDIFORD SUITE www.lant-ins.ca100 DRIVE, STOUFFVILLE, SUITE 100Fax: ONTARIO 905-640-4450 STOUFFVILLE, L4A 7X5 ONTARIO L4A 7X5 Non-profit groups may reprint articles from this Tel: 37905-640-4111 SANDIFORD DRIVE, Tel:www.lant-ins.ca 905-640-4111 SUITE 100 STOUFFVILLE, www.lant-ins.caFax: 905-640-4450 ONTARIO L4A 7X5Fax: 905-640-4450 publication, where the author has not reserved Tel: 905-640-4111 www.lant-ins.ca Fax: 905-640-4450 rights, provided we get credited and both the author and TTC receive a copy of the publication in Your director of 1-800-461-4099 its entirety. communications Distribution by Pillar Direct Marketing Services. in action, being 1-800-461-4099 Printed by Printwell Offset for the Toronto Triumph interviewed for 31 Years Insuring Collector Cars Across Canada Club. Canada Post Publications # 40022175 Sun TV at British 311-800-461-4099 Years1-800-461-4099 Insuring1-800-461-4099 Collector Cars Across Canada Car Day

3231 YearsY ears InsuringI nsurI ng CollectorC olleC tor CCarsars aAcrossC ross CanadaC anada agtop inter 31 Years Insuring31 Years CollectorInsuring Collector Cars Across Cars Canada Across CanadaR I W I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 5 4976_Misc. Landad.indd 1 12/30/08 11:38:19 AM

4976_Misc. Landad.indd 1 12/30/08 11:38:19 AM

4976_Misc. Landad.indd 1 4976_Misc. Landad.indd 1 12/30/08 11:38:19 AM 12/30/08 11:38:19 AM Obsolete Auto_MG&TRIUMPH AD2.pdf 19/02/2009 8:22:06 PM

from the president Toll Free Order Line: ...... 1-800-265-7437 Customer Service / Technical Advice: ...... 1-519-337-3232 24 Hour Fax Line: ...... 1-519-336-5936 Executives Website: ...... www.obsoleteauto.com President ...... David Tushingham 905 830. .9124 Vice President ...... Ian Parkhill 905 .637 .2034 Business Hours: ...... Monday to Friday - 8 AM to 5 PM Secretary ...... Andrew Grace 416 763. .3824 Treasurer ...... Chris Lindsay 416 .233 .7360 One Year Already? Membership ...... Scott Douglas 905 .334 .4020 Director of Communications . . . David Fidler 905 829. .9340 142 Kendall Street, Point Edward, Ontario CANADA N7V 4G5 Director at Large ...... Wayne McGill 905 847. 5532. Its hard to believe that a year has passed since Director at Large ...... Scott Douglas 905 334. .4020 I began my term as President of the Toronto Past President ...... Johan Aaltink 705 .456 4276. Triumph Club. The then newly elected Execu- tive set a few goals to focus and improve upon, Ragtop Magazine in order to move the Club in a more positive Editor & Publisher ...... David Fidler 905 829. .9340 direction. MG & TRIUMPH Specialists Distribution . . . .Rod . Jones - Pillar Direct 416 755. 9494. Art Director ...... Michael Cleland 905 873. 7704. Our first goal was to improve communica- Advertising Sales ...... Ian Parkhill 905 .637 .2034 tion. I think that we have utilized the TTC Web- David Fidler 905 829. 9340. site in conjunction with regular bulk email and Browse the website Club Photographer ...... Larry Llewellyn 416 .245 9217. newsletter capabilities to communicate much Website www.obsoleteauto.com for more effectively to the membership. We have Web Manager ...... David Copping 905 827. .6970 updates on stocked parts and secure Website Classifieds ...... Vic Whitmore 905 .889 .7261 also introduced a new online forum for mem- access to online ordering. The parts David Copping 905 827. .6970 bers to interact with each other and to post C Club Coordinators questions and receive answers on a wide range of topics including Club Business, Upcom- you need, any time or day. Meeting Coordinators ...... Ian Parkhill 905 637. .2034 M ing events and Technical issues. David Fidler has been doing an outstanding job with Rag- Scott Douglas 905 334. .4020

Y Interclub Coordinator ...... Tony Fox 905 632. 0479. top magazine. I hope that you all look forward to getting your next issue in the mail as I do! Ambassador at Large ...... Wayne McGill 905 847. 5532. Our second goal was to try and “grow” the membership. We have made some im- CM Regalia . . . . . Clive & Jacquelynne Huizinga 905 .884 2091. Historians ...... Wayne McGill 905 847. 5532. provements to the membership process and have made it easier to both join the club MY Frank Manning 905 643. 2359. and renew your membership via a PayPal link on the website. I am happy to report that Volunteer Coordinator ...... Chris Lindsay 416 .233 .7360 CY Membership numbers are up significantly, from just over 200 last November to just un- Sponsors ...... Frank Manning 905 643. 2359. CMY Motorsports ...... Simon Rasmussen 905 .853 .2514 der 300 currently. However, there is still work to be done in this area and it will remain as

K a focus issue for 2011. Marque Coordinators Many thanks go out to the departing members of the Executive and Coordinators who I TR2, 3, 3A & 3B ...... Malcolm Taylor 905 .880 0079. had the pleasure of working with over the past year. I would also like to welcome the “new Alistair Wallace 905 627. .2941 TR4, 4A, 5 & 250 ...... John Lille 416 231. .3092 recruits” into the fold and I thank you for volunteering your time and energy to a most TR6 ...... Fred McEachern 905 .727 2987. worthwhile cause! Spitfire-GT6 ...... Don Johnson 705 721. .1231 Ron Pincoe 519 941. .0976 We certainly had a terrific driving season this year and we have already started working Stag ...... Tony Fox 905 .632 0479. on populating the events calendar for next year. Have a quick look on the website and you TR7 & 8 ...... Larry. Llewellyn 416 245. 9217. will see that the Spring Fling, Canadian Classic, Around Georgian Bay Tour and of course Request a FREE copy of the GARAGE SALES! British Car Day dates have already been confirmed. Be sure to book these in your calendar. Sports Car Chronicle. Event Coordinators Here’s to a short winter and an early Spring. That’s right. Check out our annual British Car Day Co-Chairs David Tushingham 905 830. .9124 Call: 1-800-265-7437 or 519-337-3232 Tony Grosso 416 .266 .7589 Spring or Fall Garage Sales and browse 26th Canadian Classic ...... T .B .A . Cheers! Email: [email protected] Spring Fling 2011 ...... Don Johnson 705 721. .1231 endless deals. Around Georgian Bay Tour . . . Clive Huizinga 905 884. 2091. Annual BBQ ...... Brian Clark [email protected] — David Tushingham Each issue is packed with super deals Payment Options: Jack Willekes 905 .820 0269. Visa, Mastercard and American Express on parts and accessories along with General Mail/Membership Mail P .O . Box 39 technical articles to help you do the job. Shipping: Canada Post and most Don Mills Ontario A great resource for YOUR sports car! courier services M3C 2R6 Ragtop Mail & E-mail: 2421 Poplar Crescent, Mississauga, ON, L5J 4H2 ALL TO PRESERVE AND DRIVE THE TRIUMPH [email protected]

Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 7 club hub

TRF Is the World’s Greatest British Sports Car Company Meeting Reports by David Fidler The Roadster Factory is large enough to be a major parts manufacturer and distributor but small enough to know our September late season drive and we had 6 Triumphs to elect the 2011 Executive and Club models very well, also small enough to offer very personal that braved the chilly evening. Coordinators. We would like to thank all service to all of our customers. TRF is British Motor who volunteered to take on positions Heritage Approved, we are famous for high quality and November left vacant by retiring officers and some reasonable prices, and we offer expert engine, gearbox, and Our AGM was held as usual, at the Ca- new positions, created to fulfill new man- rear axle rebuilds from our own shop, known as C.A.R. nadian Aerospace Museum, Downsview, dates for our Club’s future growth. We although due to a double booking, we also extend our appreciation and sincere Components. Whether you show your car in concours were relegated to another area, right out- thanks to those retiring from their posts events, enter it in competitive driving events, or drive it to side the ladies washroom! I couldn’t at- for a well earned rest, Jack Willekes (sec- work every day, you can do so with confidence, knowing that tend in person, due to a business trip, but retary), Larry Llewellyn (membership), The Roadster Factory will always be here for you—on-line I was told some interesting stories about Mike Hale (web manager), Bill Alexander Shawn’s GT6 or just a phone call away. the proceedings being interrupted by (volunteers) and Brian Clarke (meetings). Just a few days after British Car Day, but passing ‘customers’! A stormy night kept Ron Pincoe was the lucky winner of a free still a good turnout at Jake’s Boathouse for some members away, but approximately auto appraisal provided by Vintage Car Subscribe to TRF’s E-Mail Newsletter a mini Show ‘n’ Shine and a great slideshow 35 braved it to participate in the voting Connection. ragtop Every week, twelve-thousand Triumph and MG of BCD, which was presented by Larry Llewellyn. About 35 members and guests, List of Executives and Club Coordinators (*new appointments or positions) enthusiasts in countries around the world receive an including Andrew Grace’s dad from South President: David Tushingham E-Mail Newsletter from Charles Runyan. The Africa (see his article on page 29), enjoyed Vice President: Ian Parkhill newsletter always includes wonderful offers on parts, refreshments, food and good company. We Secretary: Andrew Grace* shipping deals, and other TRF news. The newsletter had a dozen cars there, , including Shawn Treasurer: Chris Lindsay includes links to current Web Site Specials and Weekend Vromann in his gorgeous GT6. Shawn won Director of Communications: David Fidler* his class at British Car Day, well deserved! Director at Large: Wayne McGill* Features which change every week. To subscribe to the Director at Large: Scott Douglas* newsletter, please follow the simple instructions found October on the TRF home page. Note that unsubscribing is also Club Coordinators Membership Chairman: Scott Douglas* easy if you change your mind later. Meeting Coordinators: Scott Douglas* & Ian Parkhill* British Car Day Co Chairs: David Tushingham & Tony Grosso* Join TRF Car Club Volunteer Coordinator: Chris Lindsay* Hundreds of customers of The Roadster Factory Classified Coordinators: Vic Whitmore & Dave Copping Interclub Coordinator: Tony Fox* belong to TRF Car Club. The club exists to promote Ragtop Editor: David Fidler TRF Customer loyalty, and it includes $300.00 in gift Web Manager: David Copping* certificates each year that you can use as cash to Ambassador at Large: Wayne McGill* purchase parts. Dues are $100.00 per year, but you also Advertising Sales: Ian Parkhill & David Fidler Sponsorships: Frank Manning Fred’s presentation get a parts credit in the amount of $100.00 every year Club Historians: Frank Manning & Wayne McGill* after the first. You will receive a membership card and We were back to Jake’s for a pub night Regalia Officers: Clive & Jacquelynne Huizinga* sticker. Beautiful club logo. Great T-shirts available. and presentation by Fred McEachern of Marque Coordinators British Autosport, ably assisted by his Please join on-line, or just phone the sales line, and ask TR2,3,3A,3B: Malcolm Taylor* & Alistair Wallace* son Mitchell. Fred showed the latest and to join TRF Car Club… TR4,4A,250: John Lille greatest new products and replacement TR6: Fred McEachern & Wayne McGill parts available from his suppliers, includ- Spitfire, GT6: Don Johnson & Ron Pincoe* The Roadster Factory ing high intensity headlamps and wiring Stag: Tony Fox harness for TR6, high output alternators TR7,TR8: Larry Llewellyn* P.O. Box 332, Armagh, Pennsylvania, 15920, U.S.A. and Pertronics electronic ignition sys- Telephone: (800) 234-1104 • Fax: (814) 446-6729 tems. Some took the opportunity for a Contact information can be found on page 7 Internet: www.the-roadster-factory.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 9 club hub Lots of parking at the Graham’s wa- terfront property clouds were forming and we had a long good and the colors spec- drive ahead. Did it rain? Did it ever! Clive and tacular, particularly when the Locks & Leaves I were top down on highway 401 when it sun popped out from behind started, light rain at first, so we soldiered on, the mostly cloudy skies. by David Fidler then it got heavier. I didn’t get a single drop Some had stayed at the ho- on me, as long as I kept over 80kph. My di- tel the night before and others, lemma was, stop to put up the top and get like Gloria, Rosie and I, drove The Ontario/Quebec chapter of 6-PACK, the Rideau canal, where soaked, or keep going? I kept going, much to Dave Tushingham’s place 401-PACK, have been busy this summer. he and his wife Marjorie to the amusement of truck drivers and other in Newmarket, for a caravan to Lindsay. So around for duct tape. I pointed him towards We have two excellent tours to report, had arranged ample park- cars I was passing. Amazing as it sounds, I Rosie had already been going for almost 3 Tush, our resident parts carrier, who said both of which were well attended and or- ing on their well cultivated kept perfectly dry for almost 80km, only hours when we met everyone else, just in “I’ve got a new hose... what do you want, ganized & included many TTC members. lawn (sorry about the oil getting wet when we stopped for coffee at time for departure at 9am. For the record, green or black?” spots Mike!) and a splen- Port Hope! although it was only about 9C, we drove After a brief stop at the Haliburton scenic Mini-TRials 2010 did BBQ/buffet. Scott Mc- It was a fantastic trip and we had a lot of the whole day with the top down! As did viewing area, we went into town for lunch. Friday, August 13 was a beautiful day as Coy arrived from Peter- laughs. Thanks to everyone who came out Chris Lindsay who’s It was their fall fes- Rosie and I set off from home to meet the borough and we all spent and to our Ottawa friends for organizing tassel on his toque tival, so there was a other TTC members at a Mickey Ds on high- the evening reacquaint- such a great weekend. was an endless cause car show on and the way 115/35, I stopped to team up with Chris ing ourselves and meet- of laughter as it con- town was packed Lindsay en-route and after an hour or so, we ing some new TR people Leaf Peeping Tour stantly spun around with locals and visi- Martin Burtt & Chris Lindsay showing both arrived at the golden arches at 9am. from the OVTC, family and One of the delights of living in northern lati- Chris’s patented TR cup holder (a wall in the wind, a real pro- tors. Lunch took over David Tushingham, Clive Huizinga and new friends. Sitting by the wa- tile and a roll of tape) tudes is the explosion of color that appears peller head! Those for- 2 hours, so we were a member John Morton, all arrived around ter, watching boats go by on the trees and shrubbery in late Septem- tunate to have (just) bit behind schedule the same time. and drinking Guinness, what’s not to like! when I let him drive Rosie on one of the ber and early October, usually just a couple installed a hard top on when we left for Ban- We were headed east for another 3.5 Saturday was fine again and we headed longer legs. He did an awesome job and it of weeks, when the trees display at their their car (Tush!), were croft and our over- hours, via the scenic route to Kemptville, out on our main drive of the week-end, a was tough to wipe the smile off his face for very best. TTC member Robert Polutnik and frequently heard com- night stay. Interesting just outside Ottawa, for our 2nd the rest of the day. his wife Allison got the timing just right for plaining about how hotel, the only one annual mini-TRials. This was ably After a great lunch, we headed their 2nd Annual Leaf Peeping Tour, the hot they were! OK for for miles that could organized by Mike Graham and back to Kemptville for some R&R week-end of October 2nd. some. accommodate all of Martin Burtt and others from and to get ready for dinner at a lo- 16 Triumphs, including 2 Spitfires and The highlight of the us, a throwback from the Ottawa Valley Triumph Club. cal Irish pub (good choice Mike). a TR3A, an Austin Healey Bug Eye Sprite, a first day for many, was the seventies when We had a good turnout, but un- We were joined by Don Leblanc, Mini Cooper and an Acura TLS, met at the the “exhilarating driv- TV dinners and plastic fortunately no representation president of the OVTC and we Admiral Inn, Lindsay, Ontario for a two day ing section”, between table cloths were ac- from Quebec, maybe next year enjoyed an excellent dinner and tour of the area to the north east of Toronto, Buckhorn and Halibur- ceptable fare! Break- chaps? fun conversation. Stephan had to which included Algonquin Provincial Park ton. Quite cleverly, Robert stopped everyone fast was good though and we headed off full After check-in at the local leave a little early and when we and the Haliburton Highlands region, noted at a gas station, just before the start of about for day two, through Algonquin Park on high- Howard Johnson’s, we attended left later to get a taxi to the hotel, for their fall beauty and great driving roads. 30km of twisties and hills, and sorted those way 60 and a stop for lunch in Dorset. This is a cruise night and afterwards I discovered he’d paid my Guin- Apart from a little rain towards the end of who wanted to “have some fun” to the front near Huntsville, Ontario, where the recent G8 were escorted to Mike’s gor- ness tab. Naughty boy, but much the Saturday drive, the weather was pretty of the pack and the “leaf peepers” to the rear. summit was held. As a result, the roads were The 401-PACK/TTC/OVTC mini-TRials group geous home on the banks of appreciated and I enjoyed every It worked great beautifully paved and lined, a real joy to drive tour of the Rideau canal locks and lunch at drop, thank you. and the whoops on. After lunch, the pack got a little broken The Shipwreck, at Rideau Ferry. Despite a Sunday dawned stormy and wet, after a of delight (and up, with some heading to Fenelon Falls, as rough and dusty 4km drive down a gravel soggy drive for breakfast and gas we gath- tire squeals) could per plan and some (Tush, me, Scott Douglas road (thanks Dave!), we all thoroughly en- ered at the hotel to depart for Kingston be heard over the and John Morton in the Acura) heading to joyed the drive and scenery, this included and the annual Boot ‘n’ Bonnet car show. It roar of engines... Bobcaygeon, to make the famous Bigelow’s many stops and one long(ish) walk at stopped raining and the 2 hour drive was well those of us store for shoe shopping, before it closed. We Jones Falls, where Tush was motivated to very pleasant, we picked-up two more Tri- who had our tops must keep our better halves happy! climb a steep hill with the (false) promise umph guys en-route, one was an ex-pat down could! One Apart from the TR6 hose problem and of chicken wings at the top! Stephan Bri- Brit called Dave with a 1974 Stag he bought TR6 had a top a fuel gauge/electrical problem with the ere of the OVTC is still working on his TR6 new in England. We stayed at the show for hose split just Bug Eye, everyone’s cars behaved well and restoration, so he joined me as navigator a couple of hours and the TTC contingent afterwards, the a fantastic time was had by all. Thank you for the day, I think he really was surprised decided to head home, as some ominous owner was asking Robert & Allison, great job! ragtop

10 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 11 events staying at the Host Hotel, the Nottawasaga Inn Resort. Membership Status Be sure to check back for updated Hotel and Event Agenda. Due Soon Welcome New Members! Events Calendar If you have any inquiries, please contact Don and Judy Johnson at Name Member # Renewal Date [email protected] Alice and John Kingston ...... 1558...... 01/15/11 Name Location Vehicle Year APRIL 2011 www.nottawasagaresort.com Christine & Glen Morrison ...... 2357 ...... 01/22/11 Sunday, 17th, 9:30 am Victor Fleishman ...... 2666 ...... 01/25/11 Bill Montgomery . . . . Burlington...... Ancaster British Car Flea Market JUNE 2011 Hugh Munro ...... 2866 ...... 01/25/11 Wayne & Peggy Dickey . . . . Caledon ...... Triumph Herald . . . . . 1967 The Ancaster British Car Flea Market and Car Show is held on the Friday, June 24, 25, 26th, 9:00 am Brian McNamee ...... 2067...... 01/28/11 Cindy Douglas ...... Mississauga ...... second last Sunday in April at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, at the Around Georgian Bay Tour 2011 Michael Sullivan ...... 3127 ...... 01/30/11 intersection of Hwy 2&53 (Wilson St) and Hwy 52 (Trinity Rd). This On the heels of the success of the “Around Lake Ontario Tour” we are Brian & Bronwen Tregunno ...... 1934 ...... 02/01/11 Corey Gaucher ...... Barrie ...... 1975 annual event is Southern Ontario’s largest British car parts flea please to announce the First Inaugural “Around Georgian Bay Tour” James Dunkley ...... 3132 ...... 02/01/11 Kymm Gosselin ...... Welland ...... Spitfire ...... 1971 market featuring both used and new parts for all types of British scheduled for June 24th, 25, and 26th 2011. Clive and Jaquelynne Garth Kerr ...... 2629 ...... 02/01/11 Jim Irwin ...... Sharon ...... TR6 ...... 1974 cars. You will also find books, clothing, regalia, car club information Huizinga are once again busy in the planning stages of this next Mike & Ruth Pratt ...... 2569 ...... 02/01/11 and much more. great adventure. Brenda and Malcolm Taylor ...... 1462 ...... 02/08/11 Gary Kristjansson ...... Kanata ...... www.ancasterbritish.ca Mark the Dates in your Calendar now! Check back for details. Erik Weeks ...... 3124 ...... 01/20/11 Andre Langlois ...... Oakville ...... TR6 ...... 1970 David Pallett ...... Mississauga . . . .TR6 ...... 1976 MAY 2011 JULY 2011 Friday, May 27-29th, 1:00 pm Friday, July 15-17th, Ottawa, Ontario, 1:00 pm Stan Peszat ...... Markham . . . . .Spitfire ...... 1976 Due Now Spring Fling 2011 Alliston/Nottawasaga Inn Resort Annual Canadian Classic Name Member # Renewal Date Bruce & Caroline Pinch . . . . Kingsville ...... Triumph ...... 1976 Each year, the Toronto Triumph Club and the MG Car Club of This years Canadian Classic will be held in conjunction with, and Herb Arnds ...... 2685 ...... 01/01/11 Tony Price ...... Perth. . Road . . . . . Triumph GT6 Mk3 . . . . 1971 Toronto alternate hosting the annual Spring Fling Event. This has hosted by the Ottawa Valley Triumph Club. It has been many years Bob & Polly Youngberg ...... 2220...... 01/01/11 become a tradition with both Clubs and is one of the first events of since we visited Ottawa and our friends in the OVTC. 20 years ago, Steve Van Beers ...... Aylmer...... TR6 ...... 1972 George & Fran Christie ...... 1052 ...... 01/01/11 the driving season where we get to share our love of LBC’s and have the 6th Annual Canadian Classic was held in Ottawa. The last time we Ian Blythin ...... 2922 ...... 12/28/10 Tony van Kessel ...... Queensville ...... some friendly rivalry with the “other” marque. visited was in 1996 for the 11th Annual Classic. New Members from September 4th to December 13th, 2010 This year, the Toronto Triumph Club will host the event in Alliston, Stay tuned for Hotel and Event information. Please go to www.torontotriumph.com and renew today! Ontario. Escape, relax and enjoy the company of friends while Block the dates now! Valid as of December 13th 2010

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12 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 13 owner’s manual Pssst! Getting to know our members Want Some Great Advice? PATRICK CARIA

Background: I am of Italian background and lived in Calabria in Southern Italy between the ages of 7 and 12. Since then, my home has been in To- You could search big catalogues for the best price ronto and my love of the city led me to my present occupation as a driver/guide throughout Ontario, You could buy parts from various suppliers particularly in the Golden Horseshoe area. In earlier years I was employed as an ironworker/ You could pay huge shipping and crazy broker fees erector but I grew tired of eating my lunch perched on an iron girder, especially when I had to climb You could be returning the parts down 64 storeys just to fetch the salt! This was when I decided to come down to earth; I started driving You could... a bus for Greyhound and later became one of their Name: Patrick Caria main drivers for incoming British groups, which is 1565 Hwy 5 West, RR#1 ...but why would you? Born: 1957 in Altilia, Italy how I came to meet my wife, Alexis, who was work- Troy, Ontario, L0R 2B0 Location: Toronto, Ontario ing for a UK tour company at the time. I have a son and daughter from my first marriage We are your local source for quality parts and only stock Member since: April 2010 Toll Free 1-888-485-2277 and both are in their last year of university. Triumph owned: 1975 French Blue TR6 (Trixie) Cars have always been my passion and over the Local: 905-627-9995 the best. When you consider the benefits of friendly local Likes: Cooking, driving, Pink Floyd, darts, golf, espresso years I’ve owned many makes and models, my fa- 24hr Fax: 416-410-6479 service, no quibble exchanges, next day delivery or same coffee, tinkering with cars. vourite being the TR6. However, I also own a 1964 E-mail: [email protected] day pick-up, plus great advice and customer service, Favourite Films: Star Trek, Laurel and Hardy, the Italian Job, Fiat Cinquecento (500) that I inherited two years British Auto Sport is hard to beat. Favourite Places: Canada (of course), Italy and the UK. I ago. I actually went with my uncle to buy it new have family and friends in all three locations and would love from a Fiat dealer in the city of Cosenza and I can to be able to spend an equal amount of time in each. still remember the ride back home. When I came Try us for your next project! back to Canada in 1969 I asked him to keep the car Favourite daydream: Owning a garage full of classic cars for me and he did! Colour? Powder blue. I guess that need loving care and attention and having the money blue is my favourite colour for those special cars in British Auto Sport to pamper them! my life. ragtop Toll Free 1-888-485-2277 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 15 club events

The Best of British!by David Fidler Stags celebrate 40 years Thanks to Our Sponsors... Crescent Oil Budds’ Imported Cars Lant Insurance ...and our Volunteers. Terence McKillen & Wife Victor Fleishman Vic Whitmore & Wife Alan Adams Glen Donaldson Andre Lapointe Donald Gordon Len Gilbert Wayne & Debbie McGill Phil & George Christie Steve Hall Dawn & Roger Elliott Scott Douglas Dave & Maureen MacKay Johan Aaltink Patrick Caria John & Joanna Lille Kathy & Jack Vogel Fred Meyer Gary Allan John Roden Paul and Josh Maltby Dave Tushingham Alistair Wallace Chris Lindsay Brian Tregunno David Fidler Tony Grosso Dave Copping Brian Clark Herb Arnds and Daughter Alistair Wallace Don & Judy Johnson Tony Koski Jim & Willa Hopkinson Riley Boyd Bob & Dorothy Corbin Frank Bunn Helmuth Vorkoetter Dave Heathcote and Debbie David Dorward Donald Gordon Ron & Hilda Pincoe Geoff van der Lee Wendy Allan Dave MacLellan Grant Leonard Jeff Fenwick Cam & Sylvia Theroux Steven Craib Sandy McCrea Lynn Nicholls John Elvin Don Nichols Paul & Tish Boyd John Tusseur Neal Barkhurst Ian McLellan Michael Clustie, 2 grandsons & friend Chuck McCormick Carmie McCormack Mark and Kim Donaldson George Bechtel Brad Lory and Son t was all things British (barring the sunny weather!), at this This year Jaguar was the main featured marque, George Broad Bill Alexander Iyear’s British Car Day©. Once again almost 1,100 British cars of celebrating 75 years as the quintessential British Larry Llewellyn Duncan and Ann Page all shapes, makes and sizes and their owners, made their way to thoroughbred car manufacturer for Britain’s sport- Jack Willekes Allan Watts Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville, for a day spent with fel- ing and business elite. Prior to the end of WWII, they E-types bow their heads, in celebration Dave & Liz Wright Jim & Sue Holubeshen and son low enthusiasts and to show off their pride and joy to more than were known as ‘SS’ for ‘Swallow Sidecars’, but the con- of 75 years of Jaguar ...and any missing from the list who pitched in and helped 8,000 visitors. notations of this weren’t positive after the war and

16 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 17 club events 1953 Rolls the name ‘Jaguar’, which had been just a Pre-Pay’ we’re a big hit and, despite the un- model name until then, became the famil- expectedly incomplete road construction iar marque it still is today (see Fall Ragtop for on Burloak Drive causing last minute traf- the complete history of Jaguar –Ed). Over 100 fic problems, show car numbers were the Jaguars were on the field and it was quite same as last year and traffic, once inside something to see row upon row of them. the park, flowed much more smoothly”, he Also featured and celebrating a 40 year said. He went on to say, “Now that the con- Crowd control vehicle! milestone was the Triumph Stag, which struction is finally complete and we have first rolled off the production line in 1970. the new road layout worked out, we will To honor this, our own Tony Fox encour- prepare new traffic signs and speak with aged his extensive network of Stag owning Bronte Park about improving their opera- friends to attend BCD. Although the final tion of the public visitors parking lot, so as tally fell 2 or 3 short, it was certainly an im- not to block Burloak Drive, which was the Series I E-Type pressive sight to see so many Stags togeth- main cause of the problems for our show Jaguar er in one place. Owner’s from as far away cars this year. The additional lanes north as Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York and east bound on Burloak Drive and Up- (city and state) and Michigan joined in the per Middle Road will greatly improve traffic Big Healey in fun. I spoke with one owner from Massa- flow into the show area next year”. racing guise chusetts and he said, “We’ve never missed Over 60 vendors had everything from the British Invasion in Stowe, Vermont (held British chocolate and traditional foods to the same weekend as BCD–Ed), but we’re so complete classic cars, new & used parts and glad we did this year... this is amazing! Your books. Our sponsor, Crescent Oil had their show is bigger and in many ways better range of lubricants available, including than Stowe”. Praise indeed! Kendall GT-1 motor oil, which is fortified Range Rover also celebrated 40 years with ZDDP to protect the flat tappet in production and BCD sponsor Budds’ engines, used in many British classics. Imported Cars had the latest models on The 2010 BCD Committee and ev- display, along with Jaguar’s new XK and XF eryone involved would like to thank series cars. Aston Martin’s were out in force all of our sponsors, programme ad- reaching 95 years in business this year, al- vertisers and the almost 90 volun- beit with several different owners over the teers who gave freely of their time on Stunning Jaguar XK120 last 20 years. We will celebrate their cente- the Saturday & Sunday to make British nary at the 32nd BCD in 2015. Car Day happen (see list on page 17) and British Car Day 2010 Chairman and To- congratulations to all the winners in the ronto Triumph Club president David Tush- Participant’s Choice Awards (see page 21) ingham was delighted with the turn out, and in particular, our Best Of Show winner “... we’re certainly maintaining our position Dennis Sheehan with his beautiful 1959 As- DeLoreans stretch as the largest one-day British car show in ton Martin DB4. I’ll let the photographs tell their wings North America. New ideas such as ‘Fast Lane the rest of the story...

More of the 37 Stags in attendance Fine replica GT40 Woody-Brit style! 1968 Morris Minor Traveller Austin Westminster Norton Commando

18 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 19 Participant’s Choice Award Winner’s (for complete list go to www.britishcarday.com)

Best Of Show - Dennis Sheehan Charlie Conquergood Award - Chuck McCormack - Triumph Stag AC Ace, Cobra, Race Cars & Other Sport - Kim McCartney Aston Martin - Dennis Sheehan Austin Healey 100, Mk1 - Graham Secord Austin Healey 3000 - Norboert Lefebvre Austin Healey Sprite - Brian Young Bentley, Austin Princess, Daimler, Lanchester, - George Morita Commercial Vehicles - Ken Thomihiro Daimler SP250, Marcos, Reliant - Ian Sim-Mutch DeLorean - Michael Borthwick Jaguar XJS 1975-1996 - Ross Hamilton Morgan magic! Jaguar Sedans (all) 1988-2008 - Graham Stokes Jaguar Sedans Pre-1968 - John Chalmers Over 80 TR6s in one Jaguar Sports Pre-1961 - Jamie Powell place-only at BCD! Jaguar XJ 1968-1987 - Dave Creer Jaguar XK 1997-2008 - Doug & Chris Norman Jaguar XKE Series I, 61-68 - Gil Melo Jaguar XKE Series II , 69-71 - Robert Ward Jaguar XKE Series III, 71-74 - Gordon Wallace Jensen - Bill Martin Land Rover, Range Rover up to 74 - Glen Canavan Land Rover, Range Rover 1975 on - Ian Jeffrey Lotus 7, Caterham, Super 7 - Mike Potter Lotus, Other Elan, Esprit, Europa, Exige, Elise - Ken Ridley MG Midget - Ken Ridley MG T Series - Mel Smith MGA - Drew Lebeau MGB GT, MGC, MGC GT - Steve Finch MGB Roadster, Chrome Bumper 62-74 - Greg Moores MGB Roadster, Rubber Bumper 75-81 - Jim Speed Mini sliding window - Joe Morizio Mini wind-up window - John Wright Mini BMW - Andrew Steel Best of Show, Morgan - John Roden Dennis Sheehan’s Motorcycles - Brian Barrett 1959 DB4 . . Production Sedans Post 59, Austin, Ford, Morris - John Tatham Production Sedans Pre 59, Austin, Ford, Morris - Michael Stratford Rolls Royce - Ian Hasler Mega Mini display Rover Sedans - George Morin Sunbeam Alpine, Tiger, Talbot - Tom Tonks Triumph GT6 - Shawn Vromann Triumph Spitfire 61-73 - Jason Currie Triumph Spitfire 74-81 - Don Diebold Triumph Stag - Chuck McCormack Triumph TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR3B - Alistair Wallace Triumph TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR250 - Steve Hall Triumph TR6, 69-73 - Afshin Lotfi Triumph TR6, 74-76 - Paul Boyd Triumph TR7 - Ed Knight West Highland Terrier “Aggie” belonging to Triumph TR8 - Steve Wilkes Glen Donaldson enjoys the pipes Triumph, Other, Roadster, Herald, 2000, Vitesse - Wayne McGill . . Dennis’ meticulous engine TVR - Geoff Dupont Spitfire engine 400 Squadron Pipes and Drums ragtop (the drums got stuck in traffic!)

20 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 21 Triumph travels

Step Racing can be expensive with duct Back tape at £5 per roll These are just the cars In in the parking lot! Timeby Ian Parkhill

Glen Donaldson wrote about his visit to Goodwood, in the Spring 2009 Ragtop, now TTC Vice-President, Ian Parkhill get’s to check this experience off his ‘Bucket List’... “I say old chap, is that a Wover or a Ferwahwee?” – Ed Period costumes on parade My German boss has a 1960 Austin Healey 3000 BT-7 and the “Festival of Speed” pulling into the Goodwood grounds at around 1:00pm. When we he’s a British motor racing fanatic, to say the least. So, when the and the “Revival Meet- arrived in the parking lot, I thought we were already at the show! I TR6 came into my possession, he told me there was an event that ing”. If you have to was told that I was not the first person to have made this assump- 1971 Triumph I would have to attend with him someday. I didn’t think much of it choose one, make it tion. Herald at the time... the Revival Meeting, We arrived in time to take in some of Eventually, dates were set for our next 5-year business planning and you won’t be dis- the Friday afternoon practice sessions session, but this year it was a bit earlier than usual, in September appointed. and I could hear the engines as we walked period costume, instead of November, and he told me to extend the usual schedule We began this ad- through the field to the entrance gate, but commemorating by a few days, over the weekend. Lastly, I should arrange to fly over venture in Remscheid, my eyes were too busy taking in the au- the fashions from the to Germany and back via Heathrow. The cat was out of the bag… Germany, at 6:30am, when the boss and two of his childhood tomotive scenery, the likes of which I had Roaring 20s, through to Goodwood! friends (both certified gear-heads) picked me up at my hotel. Then never seen in my life. There was an example of the Groovy 60s and everything in What is Goodwood? The best way I can describe it we were off for some early morning Autobahn cruising through every kind of car, with any kind of sporting legacy, between. I was told that this started at the is “...it’s like Woodstock for car buffs”, and the orga- Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and France, arriving at 1967 in every state of restoration from “held together with duct first revival meeting, through the hiring of actors, nizers describe it as “A magical step back in time”. the Chunnel in time for our crossing around 11:30am Triumph tape”, to “Grand Champion of Concours d’Elegance” . And all of this just to add a little atmosphere to the event, but the In either case, it is by far the most exciting and (you do the speed calculations). I knew we were in TR4A was just in the parking lot! My head was spinning and I couldn’t attendees have picked up on this over the years and it is now more unique automotive event I have ever had the for something special when we exited the work the camera fast enough. In fact, I had to download the rule than the exception. pleasure of participating in and one that I hope Chunnel train and fell in behind a Ferrari the pictures into my laptop every night, just to make That afternoon consisted of some time getting the “lay of the will become a regular part of our future plan- Testarossa, an Aston Martin DB-7 and a more room for the next day’s extravaganza. land”, a quick tour through the vendors area, a little time hanging ning sessions. To be more specific, Goodwood is beautiful E-Type Jaguar. After strolling through a quickly over the fence and watching the practice runs, and (of course) the a compound, run by the Earl of March in south- We all headed off down filling field full of everything occasional pint of the good stuff to wash down the taste of rub- western England that is comprised of several the same twisty back- from Austins to Zephyrs, we ber and petrol in the air. But, a long day was drawing to a close, so elements. There is a beautiful horse breeding country roads, head- finally made it to the actual we headed for our accommodations, a beautiful old B & B in the and racing facility on the grounds, but more ing for Goodwood. entrance to the grounds and English countryside, near Lavant, Sussex, to get settled in for the importantly for this story, there is a vintage mo- The weather was this is when I started to notice weekend and go off to a local pub for a meal. The real fun would tor racing circuit there as well. There are actually perfect and we enjoyed something else was a little start in the morning. two events held at Goodwood racetrack each year: some “spirited” driving with our little convoy, finally different. The patrons were dressed in There are 13 races that take place over the weekend, with 2 of

22 www.TorontoTriumph.comwww.torontotriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 RagtopRagtop I IW Winteinter rI I2010 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.comwww.torontotriumph.com 23 Triumph travels

First time a checkered flag signals a loser

How do they keep those overalls so white?

Lots of expensive hardware was on the auction block

them being run in 2-parts, over Saturday and Sunday, with a combined time producing the winner. These are primarily car races, everything from saloon cars to Formula 1, but one of the 2-parters is are on the track, running wheel-to-wheel, and very often picking the Barry Sheene Memorial race, which features motorcycles from up some battle scars along the way. It almost makes you want to the pre-1954 era. Four wheels or two, these races are a blast and cry, but then you realize… this is what they were made for! the vehicles being campaigned are among the most unique, rare There is also a complete air show, including fly-bys with a Lan- and in some cases bizarre examples of automotive engineering were a few celebrities in the field as well; names like Stirling Moss, caster bomber, Spitfires and Hurricanes, interspersed throughout imaginable. From Austin A35s to Ferrari GTO 250s, with a KGB staff Martin Brundle, John Surtees, Derek Bell, Wayne Gardner and Mark the day’s racing schedule. History on the track, and in the air. The cars are raced hard Knopfler, of Dire Straits fame. And these guys were actually racing. car thrown in, just for good measure. And, as if it wasn’t already and get scarred . . ouch! For me, I would have to say the highlight of the weekend was enough, in addition to the owner/drivers on the schedule, there Cars that you might only expect to find on display in a museum having the chance to walk through the paddocks and get up close

24 www.TorontoTriumph.comwww.torontotriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.comwww.torontotriumph.com 25 the wedgetarian

This will be the last Wedgetarian from John Broomer, the man who coined the name of this regular feature and is the “font of all knowledge” where TR7s and 8s are concerned. John is Triumphless and “between y ohn roomer classics” at the moment, so he is taking a B J B well deserved rest. I say rest, because like many of you, I certainly hope he will own a Triumph again someday and I (or the editor at the time) will be able to welcome him back to Ragtop and benefit from his prolific writ- A Fond Farewell ings and obvious love for our marque. All the columns it was for several reasons, but it most desperately. It is having a common best John, thank you for many contributions most of all I wanted to raise the stature of bond, a love for things mechanical and to Ragtop and the TTC and I’ll see you at the the wedge cars within the TTC and by ex- enjoying the camaraderie of sharing life’s shows! – Ed. tension, in the British car hobby. These last ups and downs with the most beguiling Triumphs deserve respect, as anyone who of creatures, our cars. Those who populate has driven them regularly will tell you that them are a special breed and most, if not they are probably the best Triumphs ever all, are governed by one of my favourite built. Comfortable, good handling and re- sayings, “Money can’t buy you love, but P51 Mustang on final approach ell it has been a very “car- ally a car for their times; the last clean sheet it can buy you lust, which is the next best Wless” summer, which goes without saying design that carried the TR designation and, thing.”, for surely it is lust that brought us as the TR8 departed last fall. I didn’t get to looking at many cars that followed, it re- into the fold. It may very well turn into love drive my custodial TR6, which really isn’t ally was the shape of things to come, even over the course of time, but it was pure lust custodial anymore and I only got out to though the motoring press at the time that drove that initial plunge. one cruise night through the entire sum- panned the styling. I would also like to thank my editors, Battle of Britian Memorial Flight (l-r) Spitfire, mer. It did bring a smile to my face though, I know I promised last time that I was initially Dave Burman and then Fid, who Lancaster, Hurricane do fly-past over Goodwood as I admired a Lamborghini Espada, whose going to try to polish up the inside of those both pretty much let me type whatever I personal plate was “LIRA PIT”. I’m hoping to rear light clusters, but time had a way of wanted to and printed it with a minimum, get to Burlington Mall before the end of the slipping by the past several months and I if any, editing. Sometimes, I wandered a season, as that is where the Studebakers never got back up to Tush’s to bead blast bit, throwing in some commentary here meet, due to Hamilton being the last place them back to bare metal. It is one of those or there on subjects that I felt needed ad- they were produced, for 1965 and 1966, nagging things that will likely lead me to dressing. Or like the last column (Summer before production ended for good. I did get it done eventually and I’ll probably re- 2010 - Ed), which was pretty much a walk look at a couple of cars over the summer, port on it as a “guest” columnist. down memory lane of my car ownership, and personal with the machines and their drivers. Everything that but each had their shortcomings which re- I’ve enjoyed my time with the club and even though they weren’t all British. I won- raced on the track, was in the pits and available for an “up close” in- sulted in them being turned down. Luckily have met many great characters during my dered about that one, it probably really spection. Nothing like getting some grease under your fingernails. I have my brother along for the ride which short tenure here. As I have said before, I pushed Fid to the edge, especially having Last but not least, I am happy to report that although there means a wealth of knowledge and a keen am a “car guy”, not a “Triumph guy” or even to print non-Triumph pictures. Fid is always were no Triumphs on the racing schedule, they were very well rep- eye for things that I often miss. It is very a “MG guy”, as Glenn Donaldson likes to asking for support and he richly deserves resented out in the entrance field. These included everything from doubtful that I will end up with anything dredge up. I enjoy all that is automotive. So it, for he now produces what I believe is a TR3 in “slight” need of attention (see photo top right page 23) to that doesn’t meet with his approval. After much so that even during my time out of probably the best club magazine for the a rare left-hand drive fuel injected TR5, complete with Surrey top. all, isn’t that what big brothers are for? the hobby, it was rare that I missed a British buck in North America. The entire experience was something I could not have imag- I’ve enjoyed writing these columns but Car Day. Even now, nearly 15 years follow- And so, that’s it. Short and sweet this ined beforehand and it certainly exceeded my expectations. The now it’s time to say “so long”, for now any- ing the sale of the Midget, I still see people time around, with nary a single piece of setting, the atmosphere, the collection of automotive brilliance way. I’m hopeful someone in the club with I met in the MGCCT and enjoy a conversa- advice, other than to say to you that no on display and the smell of rubber and fuel for three days straight, a 7 or 8 will pick up the torch and continue tion as though I’ve never been away. I’m matter what kind of Triumph you have, re- combined to make this one of the best experiences I ever checked on. It doesn’t take much; two or three pag- hoping that this is the case with the TTC member they were made to drive, so keep War vets work on vintage motorcycle off my Bucket List! es in Word plus some pictures and pretty clan and I expect it to be so. driving and enjoying them. I look forward I just might be back next year to continue my search for more soon you’ve got yourself a regular column, Car clubs are much more than getting a to seeing you all at least once a year, in Triumphs at Goodwood. ragtop just like that. When I started writing these magazine or finding help when you need September, for years to come. ragtop

26 www.torontotriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 27 friends of Triumphs BACK THEN WE WERE THE EXPERTS AT INSURING ‘57 CHEVYS Think your TR

is Small?... by Ronnie Grace

... try one of these on for size! During a recent visit to see his son Andrew and after attending our October meeting, Ronnie Grace offered to tell us about his own passion for Little British Cars and you AND WE STILL ARE. can’t get much ‘littler’ than this! – Ed

Greetings to all you Canadians from sunny South Africa. I am your new club secretary Andrew Grace’s dad and I want A LOT OF INSURANCE COMPANIES SAY THEY KNOW CLASSIC AND ANTIQUE CARS. BUT WE BELIEVE NO ONE KNOWS THEM to tell you all about my 1927 Austin Seven BETTER THAN STATE FARM. AFTER ALL WE WERE INSURING MANY OF THESE CARS LONG BEFORE THEY BECAME CLASSICS. Van, which I have owned for the past 26 AND AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST CAR INSURER, WE CURRENTLY INSURE WELL OVER 120,000 OF THESE UNIQUE MACHINES. years. WITH STATE FARM YOU’RE ALWAYS SURE OF GETTING COVERAGE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU---AND YOUR CAR. AT SOME OF Everybody who knows something The “old car’ bug who drew my atten- THE MOST COMPETIVE RATES AVAILABLE. PERHAPS THAT’S WHY SO MANY CLASSIC AND ANTIQUE CAR OWNERS INSIST ON about cars will know all about the Austin bit me when I action to this old car quired an immacu- parked amongst a lot INSURING THEIR AUTOMOTIVE TREASURES WITH STATE FARM THAN WITH ANY OTHER COMPANY. Seven, the car which put the British motor- ist on the road, like Henry Ford did with his late 1960 Austin A40 of junk in a car bat- SO CALL YOUR STATE FARM AGENT TODAY AND YOU’LL LEARN THAT JUST LIKE SOME CARS, SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES Model T. Sir Herbert Austin designed the Farina from a family tery shop in Maitland, ONLY IMPROVE WITH AGE. first Austin Seven in 1922 and it took the friend, who became a suburb of Cape motoring public by storm. At that stage incapacitated due to Town. Apparently she families who wanted wheels could only af- a stroke. I joined the and her mother went WAYNE C. MCGILL ford a motorcycle and sidecar. Sir Herbert Crankhandle Club of to this battery shop AGENT gave them the first four wheeled car, which Cape Town, but deep to buy a car battery UNIT 21 - 2345 WYECROFT ROAD STATE FARM the ordinary family man could afford. The down it was always my desire to own an for her mother’s car. After telling me about OAKVILLE ONTARIO L6L 6L8 INSURANCE COMPANIES rest is history and the Austin Seven was Austin Seven. Don’t ask me why. Maybe this old car, my curiosity got the better of BUS. 905-847-5671 CANADIAN HEAD OFFICES: made right up to the start of the Second it was because they looked so small and me and we drove out one Sunday after- EMAIL: [email protected] AURORA, ONTARIO World War. Many South Africans can recall primitive, but as we all know, Austin Sev- noon to have a look. I couldn’t hide my sur- that their fathers or grandfathers or old ens are scarce and once you own one, you prise when I discovered that it was an Aus- uncles started their motoring careers by certainly do not want to part with it. tin Seven Van and a very old one at that. LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR STATE FARM IS THERE. owning an Austin Seven. In 1984 it was my wife, of all people, I could see her clearly through the shop

Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 29 of the Crankhandle Club, to in a sad state due to her I first had to build had the Ruby engine, which I ask them what I should of- having stood for so many an additional garage to did not overhaul at all. Although fer for it? After getting some years. The first number of house my other Austin, the battery did not want to take idea, I went back and offered years was under a canvas before I could tackle this a proper charge on one cell a little less than advised and in the owner’s backyard restoration job. after being charged all week, after some bargaining, the before being moved to The dismantling start- there was sufficient power for owner accepted. I pumped up the battery shop. The ed in February, 1985. Ev- the electrics. My whole family the tires and my wife towed wheels were rusted and erything was stripped. was in the garage and with my the little Van home, with me the windscreen frame The biggest job was to son Andrew behind the steering barely fitting in the cockpit. I was brown with rust. The strip off all the paint right wheel. It was like starting one of window standing there looking very piti- am over six feet tall. headlights (which were down to bare metal, so those old aeroplanes. I shouted “contact – before 1965 did not need a roadworthy ful. As I peered in, I was sure that this little The chassis number 34672 showed the wrong ones) were that she could be com- choke out – OK here goes!”. Amazing. With certificate in the Western Cape Province. Van was begging me to save her from her that it as a 1927 model, while the engine rusted and the paintwork pletely repainted. I chose only one crank of the crankhandle, she On Sunday, 25th April, 1986 I drove surroundings. I told my wife that this little number 223332 indicated a replacement faded. The grill and bon- a dark green with black started. She spluttered a bit and ran rough her to the monthly meeting (you call it a car was speaking to me standing there and 1935 Austin Seven ‘Ruby’ engine with a net were fitted askew and lopsided as if mudguards. The wheels had to be sand- due to the choke being full out, but as she cruise) of the Crankhandle Club of Cape crying….”save me, please save me”. There four speed gearbox. I have since found a someone had bumped her on the side of blasted and repainted too. The windscreen warmed up and the choke was pushed in, Town at Groot Constantia near Cape was a lot of junk and old car batteries 1927 magneto engine (# 57890) and three the grill. She had sign writing all over her frame had to be re-chromed. The radiator she ran beautifully and more silent than I Town. This was her first public outing and packed on top and all around her, so sad. speed crash gearbox, which I overhauled, advertising a business hiring out 16mm surround was chromed, but I had it sprayed expected. Smoke was pouring from under- what a wonderful reception she got. Ev- The following week I approached the rebuilt and then installed in her. Mac Bonar films. I got to know Mac Bonar of England the correct black. The interior woodwork neath where paint and oil on the exhaust erybody crowded around to admire her owner of the shop and enquired about the of England, well known for the restoration when I advertised for a pair of original 1927 had to be sanded, repaired where neces- pipe was burning. Within a few minutes it and remarked on the excellent and me- Van. He was not keen to sell, but eventually of Austin Sevens, supplied me with all the brass headlights in a British magazine and sary and re-varnished. had burnt away and all was well. ticulous restoration. asked me to make him an offer. I did not engine parts for the rebuild. It was the late which he supplied to me. The Van was in Fortunately there were not many miss- I reversed out of the garage into the Since that date, I have had a lot of fun have a clue what the value of such an old Uncle “Liefie” Bosch of Port Elizabeth, who a sorry state, but not rusted as the body is ing parts. A four bladed fan was scratched driveway, but the urge to take her into the with my Van and getting involved with Austin Seven was and decided to phone sold me the 1927 engine and gearbox. made out of aluminium (sic). Only the bon- out at the Crankhandle Club’s spares sec- street was too great even though she was other Austin Seven owners. As mentioned, around, especially Austin Seven owners Although everything was there, she was net and mudguards are made of steel. tion. This was while it still had the Ruby en- unlicenced (sic). I went up the road, did a I found a 1927 engine and crash gearbox gine. The current 1927 engine has a two- U-turn and came back. That was only in which I overhauled and fitted to make the bladed fan. Two new tires were bought first and second gears. Then around the Van original. I have become the official from a motorcycle tire shop. The biggest block to at least use all the gears. Once representative of the Austin Seven Club of problem was when I had the chrome back at the house I said to my wife; “jump South Africa in Cape Town and have orga- stripped from the grille surround to have in and I’ll take you around the block” She nized many get-togethers as well as very it repaired and repainted. When it came did and thought the ride was hilarious. successful 70th, 75th and 80th Austin Sev- back, the Austin badge was missing and When my neighbour, who had been fol- en anniversary shows. Also the 100th anni- to this day nobody knows what happened lowing the restoration versary of the Austin. Auto Collision speCiAlists to it. I wrote to all the Vintage and Veteran project, came home Today I am the 214 Rutherford Road, South Clubs in South Africa appealing for an Aus- from church, I told proud owner of what Brampton, Ontario, L6W 3J6 Web: www.bodyworksauto.com tin badge, but to no avail. Then my friend him to jump in and must be the only Basil Minnaar from the Austin Seven Club took him up the road, 1920’s Austin Seven Contact: Robert Ciardullo Tel: 905-453-1932 Fax: 905-453-1937 did a U-turn and came Cell: 905-867-1760 Email: [email protected] of South Africa in Pretoria sent me the Van in South Africa, genuine badge, which he had mounted on back again. He consid- unless there is anoth- the wall of his study for many years. I got ered this to be one of er lucky enthusiast www.BritishWiring.com to know Basil during the restoration period the greatest experi- like me somewhere and at the same time I joined the Austin ences in his life and that I am not aware Seven Club of South Africa. said that he was going B Ronnie and his Austin Seven have won many awards of? My little Van is W Well, 13th April, 1986 was a great day in to tell all his friends very reliable and has British Wiring Inc. our lives. Maybe unlucky for some but the and colleagues at work. What a day! What become part of the family. After owning Suppliers of Wiring Harnesses, Wire, Terminals & Sundries 13th was certainly a great occasion in the an experience! her for 26 years, I am looking forward to for British Classic Cars and Motorcycles lives of the Grace family, especially when Back into the garage she went, as there many more happy years of Austin Seven I look back and think of all the work that was still a few minor things to be done to motoring, thanks indirectly to my moth- Toll Free: 866-461-9050 P.O. Box 185 went into my Austin Seven Van. pass inspection for a roadworthiness certif- er-in-law, who needed a car battery for Fax: 610-845-3518 617 Walnut St. New oil in the sump, the gearbox and icate. Getting her roadworthy and licenced her car. I’ve said to her many times since, email: [email protected] Bally, PA 19503 diff. A few litres of petrol in the tank and went without any problems. At that time I “I really love you, mother-in-law, dear” all was ready. This was at the time it still was not aware that any car manufactured ragtop

30 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 31

www.BritishWiring.com B British Wiring Inc. W Suppliers of Wiring Harnesses, Wire, Terminals & Sundries for British Classic Cars and Motorcycles

Toll Free: 866-461-9050 P.O. Box 185 Fax: 610-845-3518 617 Walnut St. email: [email protected] Bally, PA 19503

www.BritishWiring.com B British Wiring Inc. W Suppliers of Wiring Harnesses, Wire, Terminals & Sundries for British Classic Cars and Motorcycles

Toll Free: 866-461-9050 P.O. Box 185 Fax: 610-845-3518 617 Walnut St. email: [email protected] Bally, PA 19503 Triumph travels London To Brighton P-A, engine plate, read it carefully Only Centenarians need apply by Capt. Martin L.M. Smith (MN retired)

General view of the finishing line at Madeira Drive, Brighton 1903 Panhard-Levassor, 15HP, 4 cylinders, 4 seater 1904 Mercedes, 20HP, 2 cylinders Green car . Centre . 1894 benz, 4 HP, single cylinder, Pierce-Arrow, 2 ton truck circa 1914 so too young to be in the P-A, engine Promenade wooden cart wheels rally but interesting We think our Triumphs are sort of miserable, wet, cold and windy stuff enroute to rest both car and driver. facturing was a great scramble in the early steering wheels had the driver on the front ment and innovation with hybrid, electric typical of Britain in November. The entries were from all over Brit- 1900s with firms changing from making seat on the right hand side, an arrange- and eco friendly cars rings rather hollow. sometimes old and cantanker- The rally was first staged on 14th No- ain and Europe with significant German, horse carriages and bicycles to cars, Many ment that suits driving on British roads, but A memorable day watching the rally, which ous; spare a thought for those vember 1896 to celebrate an Act of Parlia- Dutch, French and Belgium entries. There firms started-up and closed quite quickly, not on North American or European roads. was not planned, but like most impromptu intrepid enthusiasts who bravely ment, which abolished the requirement for were several entries from the USA, two due to competition and lack of funding. Perhaps your readers can tell me when N. decisions it was marvelous! ragtop a man with a red flag to walk in front of ev- from Argentina, one from Canada and Two French engine builders, De Dion Bou- American built cars went over to having set forth from London each ery horseless carriage. The Act also raised also a 1904 Pierce, an 8HP, single cylin- ton and Aster, not only made engines for their steering wheels on the left hand side For more information about the veteran car year, in cars over 100 years old, the speed limit to 12mph. My late father, der 2-seater from China! North American their own cars, but also supplied them to better suit your roads? (US car manufac- rally go to LBVCR.com or www.vccofgb.co.uk when a Yorkshire lad in 1915, remembered builders were well represented by the likes to other carriage builders who installed turers originally followed the horse & buggy hoping to make it the 60 miles the police chasing down speeding lorries of many 1902 curved-dash Oldsmobile, them and marketed them under their own convention of having the driver on the About the author. to Brighton, on the south coast on the cobbled streets of Keighley - on bi- 2-seater, runabouts with a 5HP, single cyl- names. Some cars looked like horse drawn right, where they could use their whip in the Martin is British, a retired Merchant Navy cap- of England. TTC member Dave cycles! inder engine and tiller steering and the buggies, without the horse, whilst others right hand without maiming the passenger tain and now lives near Castleton, Ontario. The cut-off date for this veteran car ral- similar looking Pierces. There were quite looked like ‘modern’ open cars, for instance seated on their left! They also drove on the His first car was a 1952 Jowett Bradford, Rudd’s friend and ex-Merchant ly is pre-1905 so the youngest of the 612 a few 1903 Cadillac’s too with 4 seats, a the classic 1904 Durracq (Which is the car right side of the road, as they still do today. with 2 cylinders horizontally opposed alloy Navy captain, Martin Smith, tells entries was 106 and a 1894 Benz, 2-seater, 6.5HP, single cylinder engine with wheel of the Genevieve film) and the three beau- Ford first changed to left hand drive in 1908, engine, an aluminum body and the gasoline 4HP, single cylinder was the oldest at 116 steering on the right hand side. It was no- tiful 1904 Mercedes 20/40HP four seater, when it was deemed safer for the driver to gravity fed to the engine from the tank be- us about this epic rally, from a years (See photo). The 60 mile route from ticeable that Ford, which started in 1903, open cars. gauge distance from oncoming cars and the hind the dashboard! spectator’s perspective. – Ed Hyde Park, London, roughly follows the only had two entries, both Model A 4-seat- The position of the driver varied a bit passenger could alight to the kerb, instead He has owned a MGB GT with chrome A23 trunk road through Lambeth, Croy- ers with 8HP, 2 cylinder engines again with too. In some cars the driver literally sat on of into traffic. - Ed) bumpers, but his favourite car was a Reli- don, Redhill, Crawley, Cuckfield, Burgess wheel steering on the right hand side. the back seat with the passengers in front Most of the entries had gasoline en- ant Scimitar (SE6a) with a V6, 3-litre Ford Hill and Clayton Hill to Brighton. The cars Many of the familiar modern manufac- facing him as in the 1901 De Dion Bouton gines, but there were several steam driven engine, Leyland gearbox and rear axle with Concluding a three week visit to Eng- start in groups, oldest first, from 7am to turers were represented, such as Wolseley, vis-à-vis, a four-seater with a 4.5HP, single ones and even three electric ones which overdrive in all gears including reverse! Mar- land with a call on friends at Rottingdean, 8.30am and the first cars (hopefully) start Renault, Peugot, Daimler, Panhard, , Hum- cylinder engine. In the case of the 1901 were all American built; a 1900 Cleveland tin says, “Above 60mph I could open, but not just east of Brighton, the unusually good arriving at Brighton’s Madeira Drive at ber, Rover, Vauxhall, Siddeley and Mer- Sunbeam-Mabley, a diamond-shaped 4 3.5HP, a 1902 Columbia 3.75HP and a 1903 close, the windows, unless I slowed down to weather encouraged us to go along to around 10:30am with a 4:30pm cut off cedes. A lot of the entries had their drivers wheeler with a 2.75HP, single cylinder en- Waverly 4-seater with 6HP. It is to be noted 50mph, due to the fiberglass body flexing.” Brighton promenade to watch the finish of time. Historically, about 10% of the entries and passengers dressed in period motor- gine the driver was seated at the back, but that at the turn of the 20th century there His great love is sailing traditionally the 114th London to Brighton Veteran Car drop out due to weather, hills, breakdown ing costume, and very sensibly too as most he and the passenger faced sideways in were more electric cars being made than rigged vessels and he has sailed a square rig- Rally (LBVCR). According to old LBVCR hands or collision with each other or other road of them were open cars. It was also quite opposite directions! there were gasoline powered ones, so all ger across the Atlantic, twice. Martin can be the rally usually attracts poor weather; the users. There are some compulsory stops evident from the entries that car manu- We noticed that nearly all the cars with the fuss about modern technical develop- contacted at: [email protected]

32 www.torontotriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.comwww.torontotriumph.com 33 routine maintenance

by Glen Donaldson Wax On Wax Off I shall blame our Editor Fid, as I saw Rosie gets applied to the whole car with the spe- to the H-D wax – but was just put on with after being buffed and polished by a Pro cial dampened application – allowed to a terry cloth applicator – whole car gets and reading his and Bob Craske’s articles sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then is buffed off waxed – wait 10 to 15 minutes then buff about the process (Ragtop - Summer 2009 with the special red micro-fiber cloth that off with a micro-fiber type cloth. Again less - Ed), I started thinking that maybe I should comes along in the H-D Kit. Let me tell you than 2 hours and she was looking spiffy re-think the waxing and polishing process I was mightily impressed by this product and more free time for driving etc. A few I have used on the Spitfire & TR7 for the last – lovely deep shine and was a joy to work weeks later though and under the lights 25 and 17 years? with no streaking etc. This wax also has the in the warehouse the uppers were looking When I was very young I was introduced benefit of having no abrasives in it so, on cloudy again – hmm what to do. Managed to Meguiars waxes and the two-step pro- paints that require a more delicate touch, to get some Auto Glym Ultra Deep Shine cess of using the polish, doing the whole I really liked this. Plus the whole process polish – well I was passing Halford’s (UK car, then doing the whole process over of waxing the car was done in less than 2 car & bike store - Ed) at the time. With some again using the pure carnuba wax. Now hours – and at my age that gives me a few good old elbow grease the paint took on this did take up the better part of half a more hours to relax and enjoy life. I did use a deep dark shine again – I think the up- day and the weather had to be just right, the H-D Wax on the Spitfire and it gave me pers were just getting grubby from the because high humidity seemed to cause great results as the old paint is still in good TR7’s limited use this past year. As she was streaks and smears, plus constant brow were still getting the full two-stage treat- shape and I liked the low abrasive part, as washed and stored for the winter she once wiping and shirt changing from me... ah ment at this point. Even the Meguiars N/X in some areas I know she is wearing thin. again has the magical russet brown glow. yes the Zen of car waxing and pore cleans- was given a whirl, but with no real lasting The TR7 seemed to need a little more The Super Resin Polish has now been ing! It took a while, as both times you did it value. These test waxes now come in use- help, as she was looking grimy and hazy used on the daily Honda and VW and I am panel by panel, let it dry then buff off with ful for cleaning the bumper on the back of on the upper surfaces. Some long time TTC impressed with the ease of use, it’s gentle two cloths (cotton diapers actually) and the Spitfire, as she does tend to get cleaning action and the length of time it lasts I really like the new micro-fiber cloths for is later, once you had recovered and show- cloudy now and again. between applications. Both these cars are cleaning glass or buffing it clean – first I use ered, you were rewarded with a deep dark Summer of 2009 sees me test- washed regularly – with the soft bristle brush a damp m-f cloth then buff dry with a dry shine that seemed rock hard. You can see ing some Mother’s Carnuba Wax and clear water or every few weeks with a car m-f cloth. I found those aerosol glass clean- why Fid’s description of how he and Tush on a new ride that was going to be wash soap – one lives in the garage (why we ers or auto ones are something I would watched Rosie get buffed, while in comfy garage kept and summer driven. It keep a daily in a garage is beyond me???) and rather not breath in or have sprinkled on chairs, beverages in hand etc., got me went on well – followed directions they both bead up nicely. Similar application my dash etc. The whole “use in well venti- thinking. to a T. However I was not happy time – whole car let sit for 10 minutes then lated area” put me off, if things are really There are many products on the market to Over the years I have also used Meguiars with how much time and effort it buff with special cloth and a nice smooth fin- bad go and mix up some vinegar and water make your car look nice and shiny, some bet- Car Cleaner Wax on the daily cars – gets the took to buff out – it was almost like ish with a good deep shine. and wash those windows so they sparkle. ter than others. It looks like Glen has found a road grime off – ease of use and a consis- doing the two-step above. Plus the Now maybe that is part of the secret, That I know as fact, as I spent 5 years clean- good combination of long lasting shine and tent product. However in the last few years finish just did not seem to last and a good wax and a good micro-fiber type ing windows going through university and ease of application. Here are some remind- I have found that the finish was just not you can imagine how that ride was babied members will recall that back in 1993 when cloth to buff it off with. I found the m-f buying a Spitfire. ers from Kevin Hamill of GTA In-Detail, “stay lasting as well as it had even though the her first summer. I took on the TR7 as a winter project that all cloth does not get loaded up with the wax The good news is that Auto Glym is away from silicon based products”, always use cars are washed regularly and well cared Spring 2010 and I decided to try out the upper surfaces looked like velvet. That like the cotton diaper can do. I did try dry- available in Canada now at Canadian Tire microfibre cloths and, most importantly, “the for. I did contact Meguiars with one of their Auto Glym – must be good made in UK to my friends we saved from the spray gun by ing cars with the new fancy absorbent m-f – just watch for the sales and give it a test shine comes from a well prepared paint sur- Car Care Prescription Offers – basically they ISO standards – the Queen and Phil use it using Meguiars Body Scrub a few times be- cloths – but felt I got a better and faster re- or two. They carry a full line of tire dress- face NOT the wax, which only serves to protect wrote back that what I was doing was cor- on their cars – while the corgis play and fore the Polish and Wax. This time I tried the sult with the soft terry cloth bath towel. I ing, vinyl and rubber care, applicators, the paint”. The proof is above, see Rosie after rect. I tried the Meguiars Gold Class wax – it Aston Martin, Morgan and Jaguar also Auto Glym Super Resin Polish on the TR7 – stopped using a chamois years ago as Rolls washes etc., so the Family can fill your paint preparation, NO WAX! If your car looks went on easily and buffed off well – but the endorse the product. The new ride gets as it is like a car cleaner wax – cleans and Royce claimed that the chamois would pull stocking with glee or Glym this Holiday dull or has swirls before you apply wax, then finish did not last on the daily car. The TRs treated to the High Definition Wax – this waxes in one easy go. It was similar in use wax off the painted surfaces. Now one area season. ragtop your paint needs buffing first. – Ed

34 www.torontotriumph.com Ragtop I Summer I 2010 Ragtop I Summer I 2010 www.torontotriumph.com 35 routine maintenance Tired Tires by Glen Donaldson

It was the Summer of ‘09 and, as my to take notice of this in the Spitfire too, a car that does a few thousand kilometers a back up, I realized it had been 15 years on. I always try to keep my cars safe and Nephew Ian and I sped around the Track we would turn into a corner and the a year is not a big issue, age and lack of use since the fan belts were changed. Radiator ready for use in town or blasting down a at Mosport, I began to realize that maybe I old girl wanted to take a rather wide will kill our tires first. hoses are fresher as I do coolant every 4 to highway to enjoy a TTC event or outing. If should check the tires on the TR7. OK so we slippery path around the corner. I also got to thinking about the rubber 5 years. You know I already did the brake we do a few jobs each year then the cars were not really zooming around the track The research also found that there fan belts on the cars. It seems that no mat- flex lines and put the vastly superior stain- are always ready for a spin or trip and the – and yes, it was a parade lap at The Cana- is a date of manufacture stamped on ter what I did the TR7 belt was making ugly less steel flex lines on, which makes the chances of coming home via the CAA are dian Classic and the track was a little damp tires, in a small rectangular box near noises. A fresh new German belt from Brit- pedal feel firm and modern. No, I shall re- lessened. Believe me I have been there – as were we after the biblical rains that the DOT stamping. The DOT Code ish Auto Sport made all the noises go away, sist a pun here! and done that and maybe that is why the fell that Saturday morning. However, there should tell you where and who made so nice, and it cost less than $10. I changed After one summer of use I am happy TR3A is but a memory of my Triumphs was no mistaking the way that the rear end the tire and then the last four digits tell a 5-speed car has the wider rims and 185 it in less than 5 minutes too, with no swear and confident that the cars have fresh past. Have a great winter and check out seemed to slip just a tad sideways on us as you the date the tire was made. Since 2000 tires over the early 4 speed cars and 175s. words from the garage and no skinned safe rubber on them. Too often I see a those tires, belts and hoses. It sure would we left Quebec Corner. Hmm... might be an the year has been two digits, 09 for 2009, Both my cars run slightly wider rims being knuckles. Try that with your modern day great looking car at a show and it is run- make the family’s Christmas shopping English car in a French Canadian Corner... 10 for 2010 etc. and the digits before that the Mini-Lite style mags, but the original ride. When I put the old belt in the boot as ning tires I would not drive across town easier. ragtop might be oil on the track (following TR6s indicate the week of the year that it was size tire is no problem on the wider rim. after all)... or, how old are those spiffy look- made. In the attached picture the 8PY806 The Spitfire got treated to Vredestein ing Michelins? As we pulled out of Moss means they were made on shift 8PY in the Sprint +, fresh from Holland and pretty Joerg Hess Corner an application of throttle was met 8th week of 2006. Before 2000 the year sticky with a 240 tread wear rating. They with a brisk sideways motion... so we just only had 3 digits. However made a huge difference; cruised around and enjoyed the throaty if your tires are that old, smoother and quieter, plus burble of the sports exhaust. Much to my go out right now and buy they held on when you amazement when I did check the invoice fresh ones! There has been tossed the corners at the P.O Box 633 Tel: 519-323-4028 Mount Forest, Ontario for the tires it became apparent that they discussion on expiry dates, car. I also changed the orig- Cell: 519-589-7901 Canada N0G 2L0 had been touring the land for 15 years, my why everything else has inal Goodyear G600 spare Fax: 519-323-2820 how time does fly on by. them, but tires don’t? The tire, as it looked as though British Classics Email: [email protected] After a bit of research it would appear tire industry has not done you could poke your finger Global Parts & Car Logistics www.bmciltd.com that 6 years is the life span that most tire this, because tires vary in through the sidewall. Sadly manufacturers and European car compa- chemical make up and this was replaced by a CTC TRADING LOGISTICS nies recommend for car tires, as after that therefore vary in life span brand tire and the worst time the rubber will start to deteriorate and conditions they are ex- part is it is made in China. Classic and Antique both internally and externally and begin posed to; hence the general rule of thumb But it is only intended to get me home. to go hard. So yes, copious amounts of of 6 years. The TR7 ended up with Toyo Extensas fresh tire sauce keeps the tires looking nice and Fast-forward to Spring 2010 and Cap- and new, but not as sticky as I would like. I Vehicle Appraisal black and keeping the car garaged so that tain Brown is trying to source two sets of used Paul Ross at RNJ Tires, not the cheap- 91 Rylander Blvd. Unit 7-142 the tires are out of the sun helps to, but re- tires one for the Spit in the original 155SR13 est place but great service and Paul and Phil Law Scarborough, Ontario ally when they start to go hard it is game and ones for the TR7 in 185/70R13. Yes his son will do the final balancing with the Retail Sales Tax Appraiser M1B 5M5 over. This hardness is like many things on there is a very slight difference in 155SR13 tires on the car. Granted this means you Licenced Mechanic 647-393-4856 our old cars, we just gradually accept that vs. 155/80R13, Google that and ye shall have to put the wheel on the same corner Vehicle Restorer [email protected] the car does not stick as well in the corners see. I also prefer the classic look of the and same location, but I was willing to give www.tlcappraisal.ca or that the seats are not as comfy. I began skinny wee tires on the Spit. The TR7 being this a try. And in reality rotating the tires on

36 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 37 Rimmer ad 'D overseas' 08 1/7/08 14:44 Page 1 FREE Triumph tunes A BRITISH COMPANY SUPPORTING BRITISH CARS CATALOGUES Trim Your Carbs Ken Dolhonde

he following tips may help you adjust no change, but I find it nearly impossible Next comes balancing the carbs or syn- 75,000 SQ FT OF SPACE T FULL RANGE OF PARTS & ACCESSORIES the ZS carbs that have adjustable needles to achieve that and accept a slightly rich chronizing them. and assumes that you already have the mixture for better acceleration. Loosen just one of the nuts on the spring valves properly adjusted and the ignition Two more things about the mixture. If clamps between the throttle shafts. Work the Great prices! timing has been set to suit your particular the engine is idling for a time while you do vertical link ( the one with the ball joints) to engine. It is also assumed that the tempera- this, the carbs tend to ‘load-up’ with fuel make sure that the carbs are now indepen- Great service! ture compensators are in sync or close to it dent of each other. I hope you are not using PARTS PICKED FROM 1000’S OF LOCATIONS Loosen this and that you have ad- screw a Unisyn to balance? Get a justed the Throttle By- heater hose or stethoscope WANT A PROFESSIONAL pass Valves with the ap- or that “snail looking” instru- propriate spring tension. ment and compare the hiss PARTS SERVICE You will need the special or volume of air. Two things SALES OFFICE mixture adjustment tool to watch for here. Hold the tube AT THE RIGHT PRICE? (available from your fa- or hose in the EXACT same cor- vorite parts supplier) responding spot in the carb’s COME TO THE EXPERTS and know how to ma- mouth. You’ll see a small threaded nipulate it. hole you can use for a reference We stock MG Rover and Land Rover parts too. Before you start the point and hold the other end to STAG . TR2-8 . SPITFIRE . GT6 . HERALD VITESSE . DOLOMITE . 2000/2500 Rimmer Bros tick all the boxes:- engine, insert the mix- your ear in the same spot. ture adjustment tool and Spring That’s why, for consistency, I I Competitive prices turn the Allen wrench as far clamps use a stethoscope (with the am- I Great customer service as you can, clockwise. This plifier removed). When the hisses AUTHORISED PARTS DISTRIBUTOR will raise the needle to fully are equal, tighten the nut, but be Original Parts & Accessories ROVER SD1 . ROVER 75/45/25 I Efficient mail order anywhere rich. Next, keep in mind careful that you do not push down . 1 Photo by David Tushingham MGF/MGTF MG ZT/ZS/ZR that you have only about 2 /2 on the nut as you tighten and turn the ROVER 200/400/600/800 I World’s largest Triumph stock METRO/MINI . MAESTRO/MONTEGO turns available CCW, before the throttle shaft even a tad, or you’ll lose I Free catalogues needle jumps off the threads of the adjust- and need to be cleared periodically. Just the synchronization by opening the throttle 1 LAND ROVER ment screw, so go CCW about 1 /2 turns as rev the engine to a steady 2200-2500 for disc. Clear the carbs occasionally during this AUTHORISED PARTS DISTRIBUTOR I Trade enquiries welcome step. Just remember that until the throttle Original Parts & Accessories your starting point. 15-30 seconds and resume again, when they come back to idle. AND (this is impor- shafts are connected, one of the carbs will RANGE ROVER CLASSIC/P38A/SERIES 3 I Easy to use website Now you can start the engine and let it DISCOVERY 1 & 2 . FREELANDER warm up. tant if it’s your first time), don’t be afraid to have to be revved by rotating the throttle DEFENDER . ROVER V8 ENGINES 1 Raise the air valve about /8 ” with a thin over adjust. I say that because by overdo- shaft lever, while the vertical control arm link bladed screwdriver. ing it you’ll learn the difference between pushed down revs the other. PARTS SALES & ENQUIRIES The engine’s reaction will be immedi- too lean and too rich when you lift the Once you’re satisfied with these ad- Tel: 01144 1522 568000 SALES ate. If you lift much higher or hold it up too piston. You have got to know what both justments, don’t check the plug color for COUNTER VISITORS WELCOME long, what you hear may not really indicate sound like to find out what it should sound confirmation until you’ve run at speed Trade Enquiries: 01144 1522 567111 & VISITOR We are open:- MON – FRI; 8.30am to 5.30pm, Fax: 01144 1522 567600 CENTRE SAT; 8.30am to 1pm. the current mixture setting. If the immedi- like when it’s right. Eventually you should for 25-30 miles; the plugs need at least ate reaction is a lower speed, it’s too lean. If be able to zero in on an acceptable fuel/ that many miles to develop the color. Kill E-mail: [email protected] BROWSE OUR CATALOGUES it picks up significantly (judgment here) it’s air mixture. You must keep track of your the engine and coast to a stop when you www.rimmerbros.co.uk ON YOUR PC too rich. A slight increase is OK, if it quickly CCW turns so you don’t run the needle off plan to read the plugs; you don’t want Rimmer Bros. Triumph House, Sleaford Rd (A15), All our settles back down again. You might even the threads. If you do, you’ll have to take the idle to mess up the color that the Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln, LN4 2NA, England. Catalogues & current Price Guides be able to get it adjusted where there is a break and get the threads started again. speed developed. ragtop are available on one CD. Small charge is made to cover burning & postage. Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 39

bits & pieces Transport Books Cars, bikes, boats & planes... trucks, tractors, tanks & trains Our 35th year! Don’t leave Your Canada's largest selection of motoring books & popular [Bleep] Trafficator On! motorsports videos. TRAFFICATOR UPGRADE

Triumph books a specialty: Parts list: LED 164-8991 (Farnell) historical, pictorial & technical. Bridge rectifier 170-0193 (Farnell) 560 Ohm resistor 934-0726 (Farnell) 12Volt Electromagnetic transducer (Bleeper!) 295-9308 (RS Components) Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Heatshrink sleeving 344-0647 (RS Components) 20mm Piece of 8mm i/d rubber petrol pipe

free parking – free mailing list The bleeper is orientated so that its positive (+) terminal connects to the bridge rectifier + , with the supply wires from the bulbholder going to the bridge rectifier terminals marked ~ ~ . The LED has a 560 Ohm resistor www. .com between the anode and the rectifier + also, with the other leg (cathode) going transportbooks to the rectifier negative (- ) terminal. Anode and cathode of the LED can be easily determined....the negative cathode 'leg' goes to the larger 'cup' to be seen inside the LED. 16 Elrose Avenue Toronto, ON M9M2H6 Canada (416)744-7675 (800)665-2665 [email protected]

Designed by John Wells, in Norfolk, England for the Triumph TR6 & TR250 cars, but useable in any classic vehicle that has the 12 Volt Trafficator (turn signal/indicator) warning lamp in the 7HATSTHESECRETFORAhSHOWCARPERFECTvPAINTlNISH J.D. AUTO SERVICES Smiths speedo or tachometer, this clever solution to a com-

mon problem is easily adapted to other cars using a separate Solder the rectifier and the LED with resistor, to the shortened pins of the 2576 Dunwin Drive bleeper noting the correct orientation of the pins (+ marked on side of The Soda Pro Unit # 5 trafficator indicator e.g. TR3, TR4, Herald, Mini, etc. bleeper). Crush the glass from the original bulb and remove the ‘internals’ and Mississauga, ON solder on two flexible wires to the input of the rectifier, alternatively just wire If you have ever left your trafficator running after setting across the existing bulbholder directly (remove bulb), you could use L5L 5P6 2%!,#!2 off, turning or overtaking... this is the solution... A high in- ‘ScotchLock’ connectors for this. +! '5 Tom Humphries !3 9 tensity, wide angle LED replaces the feeble panel indicator Bend up the LED and Insert into the piece of rubber pipe, secure with a little Tel: 905.593.0684 lamp in the speedo and a loud ‘bleeper’ signal sounds with hot melt glue or silicone sealant if desired. Slide the piece of adhesive lined Fax: 905.593.0686 heatshrink over the bleeper, wires and rubber tube and shrink down carefully ,ISTENTOWHAT'7OF2USSELL about 315 cars there. I used your #HECKOUTTHESECOMMENTSFROM+7 every flash. with a hot air gun. You may need to stretch the sleeve slightly to fit over the Cell: 416.807.3037 wires to bulbholder.The finished size should be a nice friction fit into the back “I’ve always used Ragtop 2009 - ¼ page - TRANSPORT BOOKS at DRB Motors Inc. of the speedo. The volume of the bleeper may be controlled by varying the +9HASTOSAY“I just wanted to NXT Generation Tech Wax and I OF&ERNDALE -) Environmentally sensible cleaning and Email: [email protected] The unit push fits into the rear of the Smiths speedo that size of the hole, by using a small piece of adhesive tape. say thanks for your NXT Genera- have to say my car was awesome your products for my 1998 Mustang Josip (Joe) Dukova coating removal by abrasive blasting www.sodapro.com normally accepts the filament bulb and comes with either 3.75”x 4.9375” 3 ¾ x 4 15/16 9.53cm x 12.55cm tion Tech Wax. I won the Trans Am looking and your product helped me Cobra. I used the NXT Generation a M.E.S. screw-in base OR a pair of genuine 3M ‘Scotchlok’ IMPORT, DOMESTIC & SPORTSCARS Tech Wax on my wife’s 2004 Jeep connectors for simple attachment to the original bulb hold- Show & Shine award at the Trans win the award. I had many people 301 Rexdale Blvd. Unit C, Etobicoke, Ont. M9W 1R8 Am NationALSCRUISE IN4HEREWERE ask me what I used and I told them Grand Cherokee (inferno red) and TEL: (416) 746-1048 • FAX: (416) 746-9935 er wiring, if you don’t have the M.E.S. fitting, both types about your product. It’s the best was so impressed I used it on my have full instructions included (please specify type required 1987 BMW 735i (mint condition). when ordering). shine on the market and believe me N I’ve tried tons of them.” Just out of curiosity I did a fender BRITISh CAR Can also be used in the ‘Oil’ lamp position often found in on the Cobra with just some minor REpAIR ShOp the Tacho to give immediate audible warning of low oil pres- scratches. WOW....I couldn’t see • TRIUmph sure... could be an engine saver. them anymore and it left an incred- Rexdale Blvd. See a 4 part demo on YouTube, part 1 is here: 7HAT*!OF2ALEIGH .#HASTO ible shine. I did the whole car and • mG www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTHxuueNit8 John has kindly given his permission to publish instructions on how to hWow! One word for your SAY even under my ﬂuorescent garage Your editor has personally seen this unit in use and I can make your own trafficator bleeper. He still sells these on eBay if you’d NXT Generation Tech Wax. I show • LOTUS lighting the car looked unbelievable. confirm that it is very easy to install, undetectable when not rather buy one readymade, but it looks as if some soldering skills and a a classic 1938 Cadillac V-16 The hazing and minor scratches • JAGUAR in use and VERY detectable when operating! little time can get you one for just a few bucks. The parts list if from UK

oxblood maroon painted car. This Martin Grove Price is £15 + £2 shipping, e-mail John to order don’t show anymore. Thanks for a • SAFETY & E-TESTING suppliers, but any local electronics store will have equivalents. Thank past September we won a trophy [email protected], payment is made via PayPal.ragtop you John! great product.” for best Cadillac at the Concours d’Elegance and then won a Senior 40 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 41 award from the AACA Southeastern meet at Asheboro NC. All this after only 2 coats of your NXT Generation Tech Wax 2 weeks earlier. Thanks Meguiars.”

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4/24 tech wax palm reﬂection New Floor restoration Old Sill Six & Two New Sill Clamped in Three’s Place – Part 7 by David Tushingham

Floors are clamped into place before the outer sill is removed I think that I am going to get coal in my and provides structural support. I had de- el, where the rocker guard stocking for Christmas. I have been a bad cided that I was going to cut sections out would be, had to be cut away. boy… of the parts car and weld in new metal The rear patch also went in Ok, first, disregard anything that you where I could. This was a daunting project pretty well and with a little may have read in parts 1 through 6 re- for a novice welder. I was pretty confident grinding it looked “passable”. garding staying on a “budget” during the doing non-structural body patches etc., I kept telling myself that restoration of my 1960 TR3A. The words but this was a different kettle of fish. My whatever I did, in the end, it “low budget philosophy” will not be typed confidence rose a little bit each day and I was sure to be better than again! So, let me explain. was very happy with the sections that I had what I started with. So, the It has been a few months since I report- managed to carefully cut from the parts passenger side inner sill was ed on my progress in the Summer 2010 car. I decided to start repairing the pas- complete, or so I thought! edition of Ragtop. As mentioned then, I senger side first while keeping the drivers Here comes the “few steps Sill Patch pulled from Robin’s car shown next to my rusted Now, I am a little bit of a perfectionist. While I waited for my new metal to ar- was finding it quite difficult to work on the side intact for reference. In order to access back” part and the end of out one I was going to have to do it right, so off rive, I decided to go back to working on the car due to space concerns in the garage the passenger side footwell, I first needed my “low budget philosophy” came the outer sill and out came my wallet. rear apron of the car. As mentioned previ- and the fact that we were enjoying a great to cut out a section of the floor in order to (Ooops, I did type the words With the outer sill off, it left the center part ously, this area is in pretty bad shape and driving season full of wonderful events. give the MIG torch room to work. I welded again!). After the inner sill of the inner sill exposed. For the next cou- in need of some serious reconstruction. Once again, I decided to store the TR6 a the patch in at the front first and was pretty was repaired, I started strip- ple of days, I looked at the sill... it looked a I had ordered some new patch panels for little early this year so that I could get back happy with the results and I didn’t have to ping the outer sill below the little sad with its patched ends and heavy this area as none could be gleaned from to working on the 3. Since October, I have stare at a gaping rust hole any more. My door to get it ready for paint. surface rust on the center section. Ship- the parts car. New side stiffeners were or- managed to take a couple of steps forward plug welds could use some improvement, After a layer of bondo, I came wrights disease set in and new outer sills dered along with all new body mounts and in the project, but not before taking a few but they passed for a first timer. The rear across a small hole. More were ordered. New inner sills were ordered closing panels. I managed to get most of steps back. section was much more tricky to fit and I sanding yielded a larger hole and you can’t have new inner and outer the damaged and rusted metal out of the One of the major areas of concern that also had to deal with reconstructing the and many little pinholes. sills without new floors, right? way and am getting ready to weld in the I had on the car were the inner sills. They bottom of the B post and body mounting Never a good thing. Decision Long story short, my little project has new pieces. Unfortunately, the rear apron were badly rusted in the footwells and at pad. I should also mention that in order to time, patch it back up with grown much larger in scope and much has seen better days and many patches the rear, where the B post interconnects access this area, a section of the body pan- bondo or fix it right? Patch in Place more challenging than I anticipated. have been pop riveted and welded in over

42 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 43 Motor Works

B s rit ian ish nic Trained Tech -Early or Late Models- Your total source for Triumphs -Maintenence -Engine Management -Parts Supply -Fuel Injection Service -Carburetor Overhaul -Electrical Diagnosis -Body/Metal Fabrication -Parts Fabrication

LNERMOTORWORKS YAHOOCOM New metal pieces including the battery box, outer sills and bottom closing panels for the rear apron only the bonnet showing some wear around the hinge points. Soda Blasted Bonnet - Before Soda Blasted Bonnet - After In part 4 of the series I mentioned that lights, so I went ahead and ordered the lour. No, I won’t tell you what it is! All I will mention that I put the body back on the I was thinking about buying an alternator alternator kit complete with a new control say is that it is NOT a stock TR paint colour. chassis to do this work as recommended conversion kit, although I had completely box to replace the old voltage regulator. I This past week, I put the small projects by all that I have read on the subject. I rebuilt and installed the generator already. haven’t installed it as of yet, but figured I aside and started to get back to the body have done a test fit of the outer sill and I was concerned that the generator might could do it while the body was out to paint. work. I am happy to say that the passen- this looks like it should fit fine as well. have some problems keeping up with my Speaking of paint, I had bought some ger side floor has been removed as well Now comeswww.autophile.ca the tricky part of welding the A shot of the rear valance (car is upside down) and all the rust and pop rivets modern electric cooling fan and driving sample paint and clear coat. I did manage as the old inner sill. The new floor has A and B posts correctly to the bottom of to spray a test panel before it got too cold been clamped into place and seems to the sill so that the body, door and fender the years. This is something that outside and I am happy to say that I think fit pretty well. The new sill has also been gaps are acceptable in the end. Wish me I am going to have to live with that I have finally decided on a paint co- clamped into place temporarily. I should luck! ragtop as a new apron is definitely not within the budget! I was getting tired of all the body work and a little de- ULTIMATE Car Care pressed as well, so I decided to TRANSPORTATION do some different projects to PRODUCTS change things up. Langka - Professional Paint Chip Repair The doors needed to be dis- SY LANGER assembled for paint for start- ers. This was done over an af- 23 Markwood Lane Manufacturer Approved Thornhill, Ontario L4J 7A6 Convertible Care ternoon, with many pictures Phone: 416-822-0096 or 905-616-0421 Toll Free: 1-866-532-3630 Phone: 416-580-7327 taken of the opening mecha- Web: www.wheelwax.ca nism for future reference. The businessEmail: [email protected] card DIY Power Bleeder for Email: [email protected] Brakes/Clutches front and rear wings on the car Web: http://www.a-professional-appraisal.ca were heavily undercoated, sim- ads ilar to my TR6, it took me a few days with a heat gun and scrap- er to get them fairly clean and DRB Motors ready to go to the soda blast- ers. If you recall, I had the front Hub 94 Automotive Consulting apron of the car soda blasted at Maurice Soda Pro near the beginning of 45 years Classic Brit Specialist the project. Since then, I have Home 905-884-2001 Cell 647-226-9494 had both the boot and bonnet Bramhall Wilf Eden Services include: done and I am very happy with Mechanical consulting, minor mobile repairs, assistance with winter lay up, the results. They both look to Rear Wing Before Rear Wing After spring commissioning and pre-purchase inspection-all makes and models. be in pretty good shape with

44 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010 Ragtop I Winter I 2010 www.TorontoTriumph.com 45

RAGTOP 45 bits & pieces YOU PAID HOW MUCH ?

If you don’t mind paying too much 1963 Triumph TR4 Stag/TR7 timing chains for your parts, there is no need to A nice no rust California TR4. The by Tony Fox car was factory read any further. If you would like ordered with the surrey top option, has to buy your parts at the best prices a rebuilt overdrive and new tires. The car has only covered 96K miles, and runs Once again there has been a lot of There are many different chains and drives great. $20,600 interest on various forums about the tim- that would work on Stags and this is ing chains on our cars. Where a number of one that if it fitted, would be good in Canada, read on. Drakes’ British 1974 TR6 engine rebuilders still happily use ROLON for many more thousands of miles If you wished you chains in the UK, there still persist rumors compared with what is currently Motors can supply any part from bought a new TR6 in North America of chain failures, albeit being offered. Although possibly 35 years ago, here is mostly hearsay. However, for those of you the most expensive, IWIS is prob- your second chance! wanting a little more confidence in an en- ably the highest quality automo- the Moss catalogs at the most We bought this TR6 gine rebuild there is an alternative, which tive chain available and would be in San Diego where is to use IWIS chains. These will cost you my recommendation. It is used in reasonable cost to you. But, don’t it had been stored a little bit more, but are a worthwhile in- many race engines successfully in- inside a garage since vestment when you consider your overall cluding Aston Martin and Nissans. 1986. It was an ideal rebuild cost. IWIS actually make a ‘super chain’ take our word for this. The next car to re-do as it still had its original paint on a completely rust and dent free body. It’s had a quality The IWIS web site is a good place to identified as a G67HP version, fit for repaint in the original Mimosa yellow. Most of the chrome is new as are all the start www.iwis.com. This will give some the life of the engine, but naturally time you need something, send misc. body seals and rubbers. We rebuilt the overdrive transmission and the history; click the ‘translate’ button at the happily buy in cheap budget chain, cut more expensive again. engine as well. Brakes and suspension are all new and new Coker redlines. top right hand corner to get it in English. it to length and sell for the after-market. If you are buying cam chain, ask the us an email for a quote. We will New interior - seats, carpets, interior panels, dash components and top. You Whereas most chain manufactur- There are a few that even get their name right questions like country of origin, couldn’t duplicate this car for the price. $23,300 ers are predominantly industrial with or logo stamped into the chain, regard- manufacturing company and impor- automotive tagged on, with IWIS the less of where it is made. tantly, is it for automotive use? A good get right back to you with a price. 1955 core business has always been automo- IWIS developed a chain which had an tip is if the chain is covered with grease Triumph TR2 tive, with industrial a close second. They extended bush feature, giving a better or oil then it is more than likely indus- This Oregon TR2 has have been producing chains for most bearing area. It was originally designed trial. IWIS uses special steel in their au- been a long while main manufacturers for years, even ven- to replace a duplex, which it did not do tomotive product and, as well as being coming. 20 years turing into F1. very well, but does go quite a way to toleranced at production, they are also Many TTC members are already ago, the previous Historically, car timing chains gave solving the Stag’s concerns. These chains pre-run. They also differentiate between owner started the few problems and on the older engines have a much greater breaking load than the industrial product and automotive believers. Get in touch for a quote frame off restoration. chains lasted for many thousands of others on the market and they have by having blued plates on the industrial He completely rebuilt miles. Because the chains were not a smooth finish to the link edges too, whilst the automotive has silver plates – [email protected] the engine, suspen- stressed it mattered little whether which minimizes wear to the guides. throughout. So, even if you buy IWIS, it sion, steering, and painted and detailed the straight, rust free frame. To complete the mechanical they were industrial or automotive and The chains are marked JWIS on each link might not be the correct chain unless end of the restoration we added a rebuilt overdrive transmission, new tires, even the quality was not a real issue. (JWIS is their trade mark). you check for the finish. IWIS chains also and new splined wheel adapters. Front brakes upgraded to TR3 discs. Body is Individuals trying to source IWIS do NOT have bicycle horseshoe shaped As engines quickly increased both in refinished in British Racing Green, has excellent panel fit and all new chrome terms of RPM and BHP the main pro- found that they and their stockists connecting links which you do see on We are also a Canadian distributor for and trim. Honey Tan interior is all new. A fresh restoration at $28,600. ducers Renold, IWIS and others gener- had little interest in supplying and al- some after market products, these are Dayton Wire Wheels. ally developed a better timing chain though IWIS were making the 106-pitch to be avoided at all costs. For more infor- in terms of material, engineering and chain, they did not do a 104 pitch (not mation on timing chain concerns read design features. needed on the TR7 of course, Stag only). the Triumph Stag Essential Buyers Guide This allowed companies that offered There was also the problem that owners published by Veloce in the UK, go to all spares for all cars to purchase solely would search for the cheapest product www.velocebooks.com ragtop Drakes’ British Motors Inc. on price. With the majority of cars using and had little regard for the origin of the IWIS chains can be sourced from LD (250)763-0883 Ph., (250)861-8051 Fax, email [email protected] a standard chain these companies could chain supplied to them. Parts in the UK www.ldparts.co.uk. 2286 K.L.O. Road, Kelowna, B.C., V1W 3Z7 WWW.DRAKESBRITISHMOTORS.COM 46 www.TorontoTriumph.com Ragtop I Winter I 2010